Mark Orme formally appointed as Chico's new city manager

CHICO &GT;&GT; Mark Orme has been formally appointed to hold the city's top position of city manager, the city announced Wednesday.

Orme has served as interim city manager for the last month, starting immediately after Brian Nakamura tendered his resignation, and has been the city's assistant city manager since April 2013 after being chosen by a hiring committee. Prior to his tenure here, he worked as assistant city manager in Hemet, Nakamura's former city of employ, for 13 years.

Orme said Wednesday he is excited for the opportunity, which he aspired for when he was hired by the city more than a year ago.

"Chico is such a wonderful opportunity," he said. "To be able to raise my family here and have a permanency now is icing on the cake."

After voting 4-3 in closed session Tuesday to not proceed with recruitment for the city manager position, the council is expected to approve Orme's new contract during a special meeting today. Mayor Scott Gruendl declined to say how each councilor voted, and assistant city attorney Andrew Jared could not be reached for comment.

Councilors chose to promote Orme in affirmation of the city's new direction, Gruendl said. Noting he is "exactly what our city needs at this time," the mayor said Orme is sharp, experienced and can think on his feet, as well as has a great outlook.

"It's almost like he's got a smile tattooed on his face," Gruendl said. "It's rare that he's not cheerful, and considering how bad and negative things got, Mark Orme's positive attitude is really important right now."

Orme takes over an organization at "its lowest point in the history of the city," according to a statement from the mayor's office. The city is facing no general fund reserves, an approximate $7.8 million deficit, a community impacted by budget reductions, and employees disillusioned over recent layoffs and pay and benefit reductions.

Two all-staff meetings two weeks ago clinched Gruendl's decision Orme was the right candidate for the job, he said. For nearly 30 minutes without notes, the interim city manager talked about the city's position and future, with a focus on moving forward.

"He really spoke from the heart," Gruendl said. "Even more telling was after the meeting there were employees who indicated it had been a number of years since they had actually felt the city manager was paying direct attention to them."

Orme's top priority in the coming months is to ensure the city maintains its financial stability and does not spend beyond its budget. He also hopes to look for further efficiencies in operations, evaluate interim positions and potentially achieve cost savings by not having as many high-paid positions.

Restoring morale at city hall and within the community is also critical, he said.

"I know our employees have been dramatically impacted by the number of layoffs and reductions in pay and benefits," he said "I think by having an established city manager, it allows them to realize there is some permanence and we are going to be moving the organization forward."

Orme hopes to hold biannual meetings with all city staff and consult them for input, and has placed an "idea box" at the new city greeter desk for anyone to submit comments he personally will read. He said he is committed to maintaining strong lines of communication within city hall and with the public.

"I think people genuinely appreciate being told the truth up front and in a candid way," he said.

Orme got his start in local government after working as a congressional aide for Sonny Bono and Mary Bono Mack. He was hired by the city of Hemet as a management assistant and worked his way up the ladder.

As a husband and father of two young children, Orme said when first hired that his decision to accept the Chico job was driven by wanting to live in a family-friendly community. He describes himself as a simple, straightforward person whose priorities are his faith, family, health and then his job.

"I think that's what this community is about — having a vibrant environment where people can actually thrive and enjoy," he said.

Not only is Orme qualified to be city manager, recruitment likely would not have produced a different outcome, especially when potential applicants knew there was an internal candidate, Gruendl said. It would not be worth months of uncertainty and instability at city hall to endure the recruitment process.

"Recruitment is just not necessary because we have the right guy," Gruendl said. "We are ready, so let's go."

Councilors also reduced the city manager's pay from the $217,000 Nakamura was paid to $207,500. It will still be an increase for Orme, who was earning $185,000 as second-in-command.

On Tuesday, Orme announced Administrative Services Director Chris Constantin is now serving as interim assistant city manager.